Propspeed is committed to enhancing the boating experience by optimising vessel performance, reducing maintenance costs, and protecting our shared playground—the ocean.
Since 1999, Propspeed has led the way in protecting running gear and underwater metals with its industry-leading foul-release coating systems, exceptional customer service, and in-field support. Tested globally by marine businesses and boat owners, Propspeed products deliver confidence, performance, and pride.

Propspeed

Guy & Eryn Jacobsen

A LEGACY BUILT ON PEOPLE, PARTNERS, PASSION, PRODUCT AND THE LOVE OF THE OCEAN

The idea of Propspeed was the result of a passionate fisherman, with an entrepreneurial mindset, a paint factory and a problem – nothing on the market protected his running gear from the fouling growing on his sportfishing boat moored in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. A quarter of a century later, Guy Jacobsen and his family still own Propspeed, and are proud to have built a business that adds value to the marine industry and boaters alike. 

“When we first started out with Propspeed we had no idea the impact it would have on the industry,” said Jacobsen. “We not only created a market segment that has grown tremendously over the past 25 years, but we’ve added considerably to the enjoyment of recreational boaters, benefitted commercial mariners and built new revenue streams for boatyards and applicators, while continuing to focus on how we can be part of the solution to sustainability in the marine industry. We couldn’t be prouder of this impact and look forward to breaking new ground in the next 25 years.”

“Our 25th anniversary is a moment to reflect on our journey and express our gratitude to everyone who has been part of it,” said Marcus Hamilton, CEO, Propspeed. “Our success is a testament to the dedication of our team, the trust of our partners, the loyalty of our customers and the performance of our products over the past 25 years. We’re extremely proud to have become an important part of our customers’ businesses and boating experience, and we invite all of our customers and partners to join us in toasting the legacy that we have all built together.”

hroughout the coming year, Propspeed will focus on sharing its customers’ and partners’ stories from the past quarter century at upcoming boat shows and industry events. Propspeed invites all partners, customers and marine enthusiasts to join in this milestone celebration and share their Propspeed story with the world.

Propspeed products include Propspeed for running gear and any underwater metals, FoulfreeTM for transducers and LightspeedTM for underwater lighting. The latest addition to the product line is Stripspeed®, a solvent-based paint stripper for underwater metals.

Like A Pro™ toolkit

The toolkit was developed to elevate confidence, increase accessibility and empower all marine businesses and boaters alike with Propspeed’s industry-leading foul-release system, support and service. The new Propspeed Coverage Calculator™ gives confidence in quoting how much product is needed for any-sized application, while the Stripspeed™ product is specifically designed to remove old foul-release coatings simplifying the preparation process and saving time, and the new Propspeed application kit makes application easy, increases finish quality and significantly reduces total time to complete the job. Through the adoption of this combination of tools, anyone can now Propspeed Like a Pro.

Beginning with its all-new online Coverage Calculator, Propspeed easily and intuitively helps guide applicators and boaters to estimate how much product is needed to coat the underwater assets of a vessel, no matter the size or configuration. The easy-to-use and navigate solution guides users through selecting either a powerboat or sailboat; monohull or multihull; size of the boat; number of engines and type of propulsion; and between coating bow and stern thrusters, swim platforms, trim tabs and shaft and struts. It further includes an estimation for the amount of Stripspeed needed for surface preparation, Lightspeed for underwater lights and Foulfree for transducers. With exceptional attention to detail, the images on the website change to give users a graphical representation of their vessel as each selection is made. The Coverage Calculator removes the guesswork and answers “How much do I need?” in seconds.

Propspeed recently released Stripspeed which, as part of the Like A Pro approach, helps users Prep Like A Pro. Selected as one of Boating Industry’s Top Products for 2023, Stripspeed saves applicators time and money on their Propspeed applications by speeding up the prepping process of metal surfaces. The many boatyards applying Propspeed have previously shared comments on the difficulty of removing old coating, particularly when applied to tricky areas, like swim platform arms. The thick consistency of Stripspeed easily hangs on vertical and overhead surfaces, making it easy to use on hard-to-reach areas. The industry now reports that using Stripspeed can save them one-third of the removal time. Stripspeed is non-flammable, non-caustic, DCM- and NMP-free, and doesn’t create airborne particles or debris. Unlike grinding or using abrasives, Stripspeed doesn’t cause mechanical wear through multiple refits, increasing the lifetime and performance of the metal.

The final part of the Like A Pro approach is an all-new Propspeed Application Kit and a new application technique. The new application kit includes two paint trays, a roller handle, and two four-inch Propspeed rollers, one for use with the etch base and one for use with the clear coat. The rollers accomplish a more consistent finish than brushing, whether done by a professional applicator or a DIYer. The new application technique is easy to learn and, when done properly, requires less time than the previous application technique. It is also easier than other methods due to the increased surface area coverage rate.

“The Like a Pro toolkit is the result of our partners, people, and customers sharing with us how we can make Propspeed an even more valuable part of their marine business or boating experience,” said Marcus Hamilton, CEO, Propspeed. “As the industry leader in foul-release coatings, we have a responsibility to solve customer and industry problems, and that means we need to continually evolve and innovate as a business. New product releases are important, but we have always been focused on value-creating investments above and beyond product releases, and these new initiatives are a perfect example of that. Paired with our global team of in-field technical and sales professionals, we are confident that our applicators and customers alike have access to the industry-leading foul-release system, support and service they need.”

Propspeed products include Propspeed for running gear and any underwater metals, Foulfree for transducers, Lightspeed for underwater lighting and Stripspeed for easy preparation of surfaces for coating application, the perfect combination for refit season. To visit the online Coverage Calculator, please visit calculator.propspeed.com

Propspeed's evaluation of Vremar SRL's "King David"

The results revealed a significant 13.5% reduction in fuel consumption, translating to considerable cost savings and reduced associated carbon emissions. Detailed data from the onboard monitoring system confirmed that Propspeed not only enhances fuel efficiency but also contributes to the environmental sustainability of maritime operations.

The analysis provided key insights into operational efficiency improvements post-Propspeed application:
- Fuel Consumption: Specific diesel consumption decreased from 629 kg/hour to 544 kg/hour, reflecting an 85 kg/hour reduction.
- Efficiency Gains: Despite an increase in operational time, total diesel consumption fell, showcasing Propspeed's effectiveness in reducing drag and improving vessel speed.
- Environmental Impact: The reduction in fuel consumption supports a lower carbon footprint, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable maritime practices.

“The data clearly indicates that the Propspeed application leads to substantial economic savings and enhances the vessel’s operational performance,” said Rossetti. “Given these results, we are prioritizing Propspeed in our fleet's maintenance schedules and strongly believe that all of our four vessels can benefit from this innovative solution.”


“We’re thrilled to see the positive results from VREMAR SRL’s evaluation of Propspeed on the King David,” said Marcus Hamilton, CEO of Propspeed. “It’s encouraging to see our coating contributing to improved operational and fuel efficiency, and fleet operators’ sustainability goals.”

These findings position Propspeed as a valuable solution for commercial vessels aiming to enhance operational efficiency while minimizing fuel consumption and environmental impact. With a focus on sustainable and cost-effective operations, Propspeed addresses the maritime industry's challenges by improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. VREMAR SRL has embraced this proven solution across their fleet of four support vessels, confident in the enhanced vessel performance, long-term savings it provides and in alignment with the company’s sustainability goals.

Fishing vessel Windroos

The test, carried out after the vessel’s hull and running gear were freshly cleaned, was conducted by having the commercial fishing vessel Windroos navigate a set course twice. Once without Propspeed coating, and once with Propspeed applied. Between the two trips, Windroos saw a 7.5% reduction in fuel consumption and a 4.7% decrease in kilowatt usage at cruising speed after the application of Propspeed compared with a clean propeller.

“The data that we gathered suggest a clear improvement in performance of the vessel with Propspeed from the day it was applied,” said Ing. Maurits van Maaren, Naval Architect, Padmos. “Impressed by these results, we’re now implementing Propspeed on all of our vessels and recommending it to our customers.”

“We’ve done our own exhaustive testing of our products but partnering with a commercial operator to come to the same conclusion through data, that Propspeed is a proven, high-impact, low-investment, energy-saving technology that enhances a vessel’s efficiency and environmental sustainability, is an important milestone,” said Marcus Hamilton, CEO, Propspeed. 

“Padmos is a trusted, renowned shipbuilder worldwide, and Techbinder is a leader in data capture and insight. Working together with both businesses helped us deliver a study that was both data-driven and scientific. Their work supports our assertion that Propspeed is an important part of the solution to reduce fuel and power consumption while improving operational cost for fleet owners and operators.”

Data surrounding engine performance and shaft measurements were collected and analyzed by the Techbinder team using their Pharos Compact to measure torque, RPM of the shaft and power.

Propspeed products include Propspeed for running gear and any underwater metals, Foulfree for transducers, Lightspeed for underwater lighting and Stripspeed for easy preparation of surfaces for coating application.

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Underwater lights are just as susceptible to marine fouling as any other underwater surface which can result in reduced visible light, and efforts to remove barnacles can result in damaged lighting components. Lightspeed has been endorsed by Lumishore and is a transparent coating that is an easy and affordable way for boat owners to reduce maintenance, protect their investment, and maintain lighting system performance.

Lightspeed

Foul-release coating for underwater lights

The industry leader in foul-release coatings

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